Saturday, June 27, 2015

Dove fights have to do
with establishing a pecking order. When nesting season is over, doves tend to gather together in loose flocks. The social
structure is
determined by a series of challenges between the birds. The bird that
retreats
the fewest times is considered dominant. The dominant bird has fewer
challenges
than the middle ranking birds throughout the winter and dominance is not
related to whether the bird is male or female.

At the end of winter the birds separate into male and female
groups and dominance within the single sex groups is established. All the boys
are attracted to the dominant female as they now mingle only at feeding sites. But
the dominant male soon scoops up the dominate female and form a pair bond for
the season. They are the first to pair, establish a territory and nest.

During courtships males perform a noisy flight display and
then approach the female with a bow and a coo. Once she accepts the male they
preen each other and stay very close. The male sometimes “drives” the female.
He follows close behind and gives her a peck when she stops walking in areas
where other males might be around.

Many chases or fights now are a result of an unmated male
trying to gain the attention of a female. Males also chase pairs away
from the
territory that they’ve claimed for the season.